分类： politics

Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar of Trinidad and Tobago was in a hurry on October 16, leaving a land distribution ceremony for former Caroni (1975) Ltd workers at the Diplomatic Centre in St Ann’s to attend a virtual meeting of Caricom heads, followed by her weekly Cabinet meeting. Reporters had hoped to question her about allegations that two Trinidadian nationals were aboard a drug boat reportedly destroyed by the US military in the Southern Caribbean. They also sought her stance on US anti-narcotics operations, especially in light of President Donald Trump’s admission of authorizing CIA covert activities in Venezuela. However, the Prime Minister’s swift departure left these queries unanswered. Defence Minister Wayne Sturge was also seen rushing off from the event. Minister of Land and Legal Affairs Saddam Hosein, when questioned about the government’s position on the drug boat incident, declined to comment, citing the Prime Minister’s directive for ministers to ‘stay in your lane’ regarding their portfolios. Meanwhile, Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness, who chaired the 41st Inter-Sessional Meeting of the Conference of Heads of Government, highlighted the meeting’s focus on regional integration, economic resilience, and collective security. While Holness did not specify whether discussions included the US military presence in the Caribbean, US Southern Command head Admiral Alvin Holsey’s recent visits to Grenada and Antigua and Barbuda raised questions about potential US radar base installations. Antigua and Barbuda’s Prime Minister Gaston Browne emphasized his country’s reluctance to host foreign military assets, while Grenada’s government stated that any decisions would prioritize sovereignty, public safety, and national interests.

Opposition Leader Pennelope Beckles is set to initiate the debate on Trinidad and Tobago’s $59.2 billion budget for the fiscal year 2025/2026. The session will commence at the Red House in Port of Spain on October 17 at 10 am. This marks Beckles’ first response to the budget since her appointment as opposition leader and PNM political leader on May 6 and June 22, respectively. Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo, who presented the budget on October 13, delivered a three-and-a-half-hour address, setting the stage for Beckles’ equally lengthy response. Following Beckles’ contribution, other Members of Parliament, including the Prime Minister, will have up to 45 minutes to speak, with an optional ten-minute extension. Leader of Government Business Barry Padarath indicated that the debate could extend over four to five days, potentially including weekend sessions, with the Standing Finance Committee reviewing the budget over an additional five days. The government, holding 26 seats in the House, will determine the debate’s conclusion after all 13 opposition MPs have spoken. The Tobago People’s Party, with two MPs, has also expressed its intention to participate. Prime Minister Kamla Persad-Bissessar’s contribution is anticipated later in the debate. The Senate will subsequently review the budget, though it is barred from voting on money bills. Concurrently, the PNM will host a post-budget political meeting at the Belmont Community Centre on October 17, featuring Beckles and other prominent MPs as speakers.

In a significant legal development, Justice Frank Seepersad of the High Court has suspended proceedings in a constitutional challenge against the Emergency Powers Regulations, 2025, awaiting a ruling from the Privy Council on a related case. The decision, delivered on October 16, highlights the judge’s concerns over the extension of detention powers to police officers, which he deemed “inherently inconsistent and wholly unnecessary.” However, Justice Seepersad acknowledged that his hands were tied by a prior Court of Appeal decision upholding the constitutionality of a similar provision under the 2011 regulations. The current case, brought by Mozam Edoo, challenges Regulation 13(3), arguing that it violates the separation of powers by granting police officers, as members of the executive, the authority to perform judicial functions. Justice Seepersad emphasized the importance of the matter, warning against administrative inefficiencies within the state’s civil law department and expressing alarm over the state’s previous non-appearance in court. He stressed that the court would not tolerate delays in cases concerning citizens’ rights. The judge also noted that the issue should not be left unresolved until the end of the current state of emergency, declared on July 18 and extended by parliament for three months, as it would render the matter “academic.” The case will remain in abeyance until the Privy Council delivers its ruling.

In the wake of a controversial US missile strike targeting a suspected drug-trafficking vessel in international waters, Trinidad and Tobago’s Minister of Homeland Security, Roger Alexander, has called on the families of two Trinidadian nationals allegedly killed in the incident to file missing-persons reports immediately. The strike, which occurred on October 14, resulted in the deaths of six individuals, including a Las Cuevas man and another Trinidadian referred to as ‘Samaroo.’ This marks the fifth such operation by the US in its ongoing campaign against narco-trafficking in the southern Caribbean, which has claimed over 20 lives. Despite the severity of the actions, no concrete evidence of illegal drugs aboard the vessels has been publicly disclosed. US President Donald Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth have defended the strikes, asserting the reliability of their intelligence. During an interview with i95.5FM on October 17, Alexander revealed that his ministry had not received official information about the incident and was relying solely on media reports. He emphasized the importance of families reporting their missing relatives to the police to initiate an investigation. ‘That is the first thing they should have done,’ Alexander stated. ‘Tell the police that their family member was in a specific location and has not been in contact. As it stands, there is nothing to work with—absolutely nothing.’ Alexander also questioned the nature of the ‘runs’ the men were reportedly making to Venezuela, expressing confusion over the media’s lack of inquiry into the specifics. He urged those with knowledge of the individuals’ activities to come forward and assist in the investigation. Additionally, Alexander referenced a 2018 incident involving one of the alleged victims, noting his familiarity with the individual’s past behavior and actions.

The 2026 budget presented by Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo under the new UNC administration marks a pivotal moment for Trinidad and Tobago. More than a fiscal plan, it represents a bold declaration of national renewal, addressing long-standing issues and delivering tangible benefits to citizens. The budget, meticulously crafted and confidently unveiled, underscores the government’s commitment to fulfilling its mandate and addressing urgent national needs. It focuses on repairing the damage of the past decade, particularly for workers, retirees, students, and families who have been marginalized for years. The document acknowledges the financial challenges inherited, including rising debt, depleted savings, and weakened public services, but shifts the focus from blame to action. Within just 150 days, the administration has made significant strides: distributing land leases to former Caroni workers, repairing hundreds of schools, providing book grants and laptops to students, and revitalizing abandoned hospitals and flood-prone communities. The government has also taken steps to stabilize employment by transitioning Cepep, URP, and reforestation workers into permanent roles, while addressing public servants’ concerns through salary increases and job security measures. Retirees have not been overlooked, with over 6,000 pension applications being processed and private pension income now exempt from taxation. A notable measure is the $1 reduction in the price of super gasoline, directly benefiting working families and small businesses. Beyond immediate relief, the budget emphasizes long-term reform, modernizing the Inland Revenue Division and revitalizing the energy sector through agreements with Exxon Mobil and the development of the Dragon field. While the budget’s tone is firm and unapologetic, calling out past failures and demanding accountability, its focus on delivering real change has resonated with citizens. This budget is not just a fiscal document; it’s a responsible and transformative step toward national renewal.

In a historic move, Finance Minister Davendranath Tancoo has allocated 5% of the national budget to Tobago, amounting to $2.96 billion. This marks a significant departure from the past, where Tobago consistently received the bare minimum of 4.03% to 6.9% as recommended by the Dispute Resolution Committee in 2000. The allocation is not only higher in percentage terms but also in real value, surpassing previous budgets under both the current and former administrations. Ministerial spending on Tobago has also seen a notable increase, rising by 12.5% to $763 million, bringing the total spending to 6.3% or $3.72 billion. However, this has sparked criticism from Minority Leader Kelvon Morris, who labeled the budget as ‘smoke and mirrors,’ citing a decrease in development spending to $201.5 million and a lack of detailed breakdown of the $2.96 billion allocation. Despite the criticism, the Draft Estimates of Expenditure clearly outline the allocation, with $2.74 billion for recurrent expenditure, $201 million for development, and $28.5 million for Tobago’s Central Administrative Services. This increased allocation presents both an opportunity and a challenge for Chief Secretary Farley Augustine, as the focus on recurrent expenditure and institutional strengthening aims to drive economic growth. The move also strategically pressures the opposition PNM, which failed to significantly increase Tobago’s budget during its tenure.